AuthorTopic: Record 20 teams head for Everest (Read 3699 times)

KATHMANDU - A record 20 teams will attempt to scale Mount Everest this spring to celebrate the golden jubilee of the first climb of the world's tallest peak, officials said on Wednesday.

The tourism ministry said it had approved 20 applications by teams hoping to scale the 8,848-metre (29,028-foot) mountain.

"This is the first time in 50 years of ascent of Everest that so many teams have been permitted to climb Everest," said tourism ministry official Ganesh Karki.

"More applications may be received and this year there will be no restrictions on how many expeditions will be allowed," he added.

Normally about 10 expeditions scale Mount Everest during the spring, which is considered the safest season.

Some 1,250 people have scaled the mountain since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgey Sherpa's conquest of May 29, 1953.

Karki said the applications this year had come from Britain, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand and the United States.

All will attempt Everest from the southeast, the most popular ascent route.

One of the teams will consist of Nepalese and Indian soldiers who will clear rubbish left by previous climbers.

"The first ever joint army team composed of 12 climbers from each side will be trying to scale the summit via the southeast route and at the same time will clean garbage from the route," said Major Naresh Bhatt from the Royal Nepal Army.

AFP

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"He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary." -- Friedrich Nietzsche